Ink in the sky: Corendon celebrates 25 years with tattooed livery
April 10, 2025
Corendon Dutch Airlines has revealed the world’s first fully tattooed aircraft to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Corendon collaborated with renowned Dutch tattoo artist Henk Schiffmacher on the project. The design, inspired by nautical symbols, covers nearly 200 square metres of the fuselage and serving as a tribute to travellers.
“The tattoo on the engine represents a pirate, the eternal wanderer of the seas, transformed for Corendon into a heart-shaped symbol,” explained Schiffmacher. “Tattoos tell stories, and this one reflects my years of travelling the world and connecting with people from all walks of life. It symbolises movement, connection and the desire to explore.”
The complex process of applying the tattoo design involved both aviation and art experts and included scaling the design to fit the aircraft’s contours without losing its artistic integrity.
The airline’s existing fleet of Boeing 737-800 and 737-800 MAX aircraft already features eye-catching candy-coloured bold stripes inspired by parasols, beach towels and chairs. Corendon CEO said to mark its 25th anniversary the airline wanted to do something “bold and unforgettable.” He added that the finished tattoo artwork “symbolises Corendon’s adventurous spirit and our willingness to go off the beaten track. It is a tribute to our roots and our journey and it shows that travel, like art, can tell powerful stories and bring people together in unexpected ways.”
Unveiled at Schiphol East, the aircraft named Sweet Louise after Schiffmacher’s wife will be operated on Corendon’s most popular holiday routes.
